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  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementBase::execute($args = [], $options = []) should either be compatible with PDOStatement::execute(?array $params = null): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2244 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::key() should either be compatible with Iterator::key(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::valid() should either be compatible with Iterator::valid(): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).

Thanks WCE! [2018-04-06]

We’ve been home for three weeks now, getting settled back into our US routine.  At long last, we got the new version of the Reneal System Administration Manual completed and distributed.  This manual is focused on the systems with Ubuntu 16.04 and it also includes procedures for the new programs that Neal has developed in the last year and a half to assist the computer teachers.  The big news this week though is that we have a bonanza of computers, thanks to the World Computer Exchange (www.worldcomputerexchange.org)!  We’re still working our way through them, but it’s a huge step forward for the 2018 and 2019 Reneal projects.

Since we’ve been home from Cebu, I’ve been pondering our “wish lists” for Tanzania 2018 and Philippines 2019.  We’re hoping to take over 100 laptops to Tanzania this year, and we’re looking for about 80 desktops for the Philippines.  These numbers are a combination of completely new computer labs, replacement of extremely old hardware at several active schools, expansion at a few of the more active schools, and some units for unexpected attrition.  For a small organization like ours, that’s a pretty ambitious wish list!  Hence I reached out to World Computer Exchange (WCE) a couple of weeks ago to see if they might be able to help us out.

WCE is a non-profit organization that accepts donations of used computer equipment.  They refurbish the equipment, add Open Source content and programs, and sell it inexpensively to organizations like Reneal.  We’ve worked with WCE for years now, starting way back in 2007 when we were US Peace Corps Volunteers.  WCE has been instrumental in Reneal’s work in both the Philippines and Tanzania, and we are so appreciative of their never-ending support.

The timing was fortuitous.  For several years now, WCE has had a Bay Area chapter located in Sunnyvale but due to other commitments for the coordinator, they are on the brink of closing down.  But… they had about 80 computers of unknown pedigree still in storage.  Was Reneal interested?   Thus it was that we found ourselves booking a UHaul van late on a Friday evening, with an early departure to Sunnyvale the following morning.  We loaded everything up and a few short hours later, our garage was stacked full of equipment.

The inventory and testing process was delayed somewhat due to colds, but since Tuesday I’ve been working non-stop to check out the units.  We ended up with 24 dual core desktops and 14 Pentium 4 desktops, and this morning I packed up 21 of those to ship to two of our most active schools in Cebu.  They will go out this afternoon.  Now I’m tackling the laptops.  It’s too early to tell how much of a dent this will make in our Tanzania wish list, but certainly 38 desktops are a HUGE help for the Philippines wish list!

Reneal is eagerly still seeking donations for these projects.  Please contact us at contact.reneal@gmail.com for more information.

 [Photos: Happiness is… boxes on the way to Cebu!]